Travel News January 2022


CRUISE NEWS 15 CRUISE NEWS SPECIAL


Docked up: A multitude of cruise ships dock in the blue waters of the port


“Escape Back To The Blue” With Celestyal Cruises


Celestyal Cruises has launched its “Escape Back to the Blue’’ Wave season campaign with savings up to 30% off select 2022 sailings booked from now through to 31st March 2022.


Some of the itineraries included in Celestyal’s 2022 Wave Season campaign are:


The three-night Iconic Aegean itinerary which sets sail from Athens and calls in Mykonos, Kusadasi (Tur- key), Patmos, Crete (Heraklion) and Santorini. The popular seven-night Idyllic Aegean itinerary,


which begins in Athens and visits Thessaloniki, Kusa- dasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Crete (Heraklion), Santorini, Mykonos and Milos. Next year, Celestyal Cruises will add Thessaloniki,


Greece’s second largest city, to the “Idyllic Aegean” itin- erary. Making Celestyal the only cruise line calling on a regular basis to the historic city of Thessaloniki. Guests will have the option to join their Celestyal cruise for the first time embarking on a Sunday, benefiting from the recently announced increased airlift between key Euro- pean cities and Thessaloniki. Offers are also available on the four-night Iconic Ae-


gean sailing round trip from Athens calling in Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Crete (Heraklion), Rhodes and Santorini.


The seven-night Eclectic Aegean itinerary is also fea- tured in the campaign . This itinerary departs Athens and calls in Istanbul, Kavala, Thessaloniki, Volos and Santorini. Kavala is also a new stop for Celesyal. The northern, centuries-old Greek port city on the Thracian Sea is often referred to as the “blue city” due to its crys- tal-clear coastal waters and legendary scenic sea views from the Bay of Kavala. For a limited time, “Escape Back to the Blue” offers are also featured on Celestyal’s seven-night Three Con- tinents cruise which visits Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Tur-


key and Greece . Along with The 15th October, one-off, themed Steps of St Paul sailing, which departs Athens and visits Thessaloniki, Kavala, Patmos, Istanbul, Dik- ili and Kusadasi . For those looking to celebrate the festive season at


sea, Celestyal is offering outstanding “Escape Back to the Blue” discounted pricing on its special ten-night, 17th December Christmas sailing. This unique itinerary departs Athens and visits Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Izmir (Turkey), Egypt, Israel and Cyprus. This special cruise gives guests a once in a lifetime experience of spending Christmas in the “Holy Land”. Those wishing to ring in the New Year at sea can also


save on Celestyal’s special eight-night, 27th December New Year cruise. This sailing departs Athens and visits Crete (Heraklion), Santorini and Volos in Greece and Kusadasi and Istanbul in Turkey — just in time for Is- tanbul’s famous New Year’s Eve celebrations. For those looking for a longer cruise experience, Ce- lestyal is also including the combined 18-night special Christmas & New Year itinerary. The cruise begins in Athens and visits Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Crete (Herak- lion), Santorini and Volos in Greece and Izmir, Kusada- si and Istanbul in Turkey along with Egypt, Israel and Cyprus. This sailing is normally priced at £2,040 but starts from £1,889 during “Wave Season.” All cruises include the Celestyal All-Inclusive Experi- ence with unlimited classic drinks, locally-inspired cui- sine on-board, entertainment, select shore excursions, port, service charges and gratuities. During the “Escape Back to the Blue” campaign, children aged 12 years and younger sharing the same stateroom with their parents sail for free on selected sailings. Solo travellers can also enjoy a reduced solo supplement on select sailings. For more information on “Wave Season” offers or Celestyal Cruises, please visit https://celestyal.com/gb/


Hurtigruten Expeditions Showcases Christmas Fame


The world’s largest and leading expedition cruise line, Hurtigruten Expeditions, appeared on the premiere for the latest series of ‘Cruising… With Susan Calman, the new host at the helm of the popular cruise series. Hur- tigruten Expeditions took the prime spot of the double bill Christmas special, which aired on Channel 5 at 9pm on Monday 20th December. Embarking on the 15-day Northern Lights and Fjords expedition cruise from Dover on the small-sized, custom-built MS Maud, and along the coast of Norway, Susan immersed herself in the local destination visiting stunning sites, experiencing wildlife up close. In the Christmas double bill, Susan set sail on a fun-filled fes- tive adventure in search of the Northern Lights in Nor- way. Each day Susan got stuck into an array of activities, such as climbing up to the Aksla viewpoint in Alesund as well as an exhilarating dog sled ride in Finnsnes. Anthony Daniels, Hurtigruten Expeditions General Manager UK and Ireland said: “We are delighted to once again secure the highly coveted Cruising… With festive special and honoured that it’ll also be the first show with new host Susan Calman. From witnessing the Northern Lights to embarking on adventures with


the Expedition Team, Susan has experienced the very best of what a Hurtigruten Expedition Cruise in Nor- way can offer.”


With room for only 500 guests, it is well-suited for expedition cruising, with a décor inspired by Norway’s stunning nature, reflected in many of the pieces of Nor- wegian modern art on board. Guests also have access to an onboard expedition team who deliver insightful lec- tures in the Science Center about the local surroundings and culture and lead exciting excursions. The natural light phenomena appears from October


to March and Hurtigruten Expeditions will offer a free voyage if you don’t see the lights on your expedition cruise. The Northern Lights Promise applies to select Norway coastal cruises, and if the lights don’t appear, you’ll receive 6 or 7-day Classic Voyage for free. For more information about Hurtigruten Expedi- tions, and the Northern Lights Promise visit: www. hurtigruten.co.uk.


For more information on Susan Calman and her


cruise with Hurtigruten Expeditions, visit: Cruising with Susan Calman | Hurtigruten Expeditions


18.NI Travel News’ Exclusive In- terview with Jennifer Callister


24. NI Travel News’ Exclusive Interview with Eamon Ferrin


Contents


16-17. Harmony of the Seas: Let our Journalist Sarah Pickering take you on a meditarrian trip on- board one of Royal Car- ibbean’s largest ships!


28. Cruise direct from Belfast with Fred Olsen: Discover Scotland to the Norwegian Fjords with Fred Olsen’s 2022 Schedule


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